The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said this week that it intends to revisit certain provisions of the Phase 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fuel efficiency standards that focus on trailers and glider kits.
read more
...Read the rest of this storyMany fuel economy experts say trailers need to be part of the equation. Photo: TrailerTails
">Many fuel economy experts say trailers need to be part of the equation. Photo: TrailerTails
">Just months before new greenhouse gas and fuel efficiency rules affecting trailers and glider kits are scheduled to start taking effect, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says it plans to revisit those rules.
The EPA announced Thursday that it will revisit provisions of the Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards, following concerns raised by stakeholders in the trailer and glider industry.
Learn more about trailer makers' concerns: Trailer Maker Says EPA ‘Overstepped' on GHG/Fuel Economy Proposal“We intend to initiate a rulemaking process that incorporates the latest technical data and is wholly consistent with our authority under the Clean Air Act,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt in an announcement.
In September 2011, EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued greenhouse gas emissions and fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles for model year 2014-2018 (“Phase 1”). These standards applied to newly manufactured engines, tractors, vocational vehicles, large pickups, and vans. In October 2016, EPA and NHTSA updated the standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles MY 2021-2027 (“Phase 2”), and in addition to more stringent standards for tractors, also for the first time regulated trailers and gliders, with compliance deadlines beginning in 2018.
However, the trailer and glider kit sectors have argued that EPA lacks authority to regulate them under the Clean Air Act because their products are not self-propelled “motor vehicles.”
In addition, trailer makers contend that the agency overestimated the potential benefit, greatly overestimating average highway speeds for trailers and not taking into account how local and regional fleets would be affected.
According to InsideEPA.com, it is unclear how the Thursday announcement relates to a lawsuit filed against the EPA by trailer makers and the glider kit industry, Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association ...Read the rest of this story
Rolf Lockwood
" >Rolf Lockwood
" width="185" height="246">Gallons of ink have been consumed in bitching about the extreme over-regulation of this industry. Ink and a lot of hot air. But we're right to bitch and moan.
The nuclear-power world is full of rules and regs, too. Possibly — but only possibly — more than we face. At least there's an obvious calamity quotient there. Sure, our trucks can do damage in a bunch of ways, but the controls outweigh the risk we represent by a factor of about five gazillion to one. And they're driving people away from trucking. The headaches are just too many.
Case in point: scalehouse inspectors and other enforcement folks who don't know their stuff. If we're going to have all these rules, can we please have them applied fairly and correctly?
You don't know how many letters and calls and e-mails I get from drivers, owner-operators, and fleet managers who say they've been poorly served at this scale or that. Yes, we rarely hear the other side, and no doubt some of the complaints I receive are misplaced, misguided, or just plain wrong. I understand that the inspection/enforcement job is a very tough one. I'm also sure that most people doing this thankless job take it seriously and make the effort to understand the laws they enforce.
But not all of them.
Take this true case from a few years ago, about an absurd ticket handed out by police in a sizeable city. It has nothing to do with trucking, but it easily could. A 77-year-old guy — with but one ticket in 61 years at the wheel – was nailed for talking on his cell phone while driving. Thing is, he does not and never has owned a cell phone. He figured it was a clear case of a ticket quota at work, ...Read the rest of this story
Photo: Love's
">Photo: Love's
">Love's Truck Tire Care has made diesel engine motor oil changes available at more than 130 locations.
The company has more than 270 Love's Truck Tire Care facilities and says it will continue to add oil change capabilities to existing locations. The majority of locations are expected to be oil-change ready by the beginning of 2018.
“Routine maintenance is vital for our customers,” said Dan Jensen, director of tire sales and services for Love's. “By offering preventative oil change services for professional drivers, we are providing them with helpful maintenance while they're already stopped for a meal or a break.”
Last year, Love's began performing light mechanical work, such as wheel-end repairs, suspension repairs, air conditioning systems, and exhaust systems. Now, nearly all Love's locations with a tire care center offer light mechanical services.
The company started manufacturing its own retread tires last year. Love's now operates four retread facilities in Kingman, Arizona; Atlanta, Georgia; Plainfield, Indiana; and Grand Prairie, Texas. Retreads are completed and inspected at the facilities before being shipped to Love's Truck Tire Care locations nationwide.
To meet increased demand for diesel service technicians, the company outfitted six Love's Mobile Training Labs with training modules covering nearly every system found in diesel trucks. Certified trainers take the mobile training labs to Love's Truck Tire Care locations around the country, teaching employees the latest techniques in various systems, including diagnostics, troubleshooting, break-fix and more. Love's mechanics must pass written and practical skills tests before becoming certified.
Related: Love's Expands Truck Maintenance Program to all Locations
Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter
...Read the rest of this story
Stuart Swint was named general manager and president of Travis Body and Trailer, whose current head is retiring. Travis Body and Trailer is a subsidiary brand of TBEI.
Swint has more than 17 years of experience and joins TBEI from Marco Group International, where he was vice president of operations. He previously held roles of increasing responsibility for companies including Evergreen Tank Solutions, Williams Scotsman, and M&N Construction.
Swint will work with the former general manager and president of Travis, Bud Hughes, to ensure a smooth transition. Hughes will be retiring from the role at the end of August.
“We are pleased to have Stuart join us and expect to benefit from the depth of experience he brings to the role,” said Bob Fines, vice president and general manager of TBEI. “His expertise and leadership will be a valuable addition to our team and we look forward to the continuing tradition of excellence at Travis.”
Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter
...Read the rest of this story
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems' GC Spin-On Air Dryer Cartridge is a spin-on style air dryer cartridge using recycled desiccant for the aftermarket.
With the GC, which stands for Green Cartridge, Bendix says it can provide original equipment manufacturer performance with a replacement cartridge at a lower cost, due to its use of recycled desiccant. Designed and built by Bendix, the part is available through authorized Bendix aftermarket distribution channel partners.
The Bendix GC can be used on any North American air dryer that calls for a standard 39 mm, right-hand thread, spin-on dryer cartridge and is not suitable for applications requiring an oil-coalescing filter.
Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter
...Read the rest of this storyread more
...Read the rest of this story
